Fla. National Guardsmen lose government jobs while serving in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pvets11apr13,0,5811178.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

Amid the chaos of war, Sgt. Roberto Orozco and about 35 other members of the Florida National Guard sent to Iraq relied on what they knew for certain: their military training, the love of their families and their government jobs back home.

Then one day in the combat zone, the men got a letter. When they returned home, the letter read, their jobs as full-time members of the Guard assigned to a federal drug interdiction program would be gone.

"We got shafted," said Orozco, 43, a Miami father of three. "We come home from war, and this is what we get."

Now, Orozco and several other Florida National Guard soldiers out of work since the death of Operation Guardian six months ago are considering drastic steps just to get jobs: Volunteering for active duty and a return to combat.

<snip>

"I was unable to find a job that paid more than $6, $7 an hour, and I would need to get three of those," said Medina, 41, who left his wife, Nelssy, and two young children at home in Miramar. "It's just not right what happened to us."

[demgurl]

1. But I thought....

Bush supported the troops! :sarcasm:

[UpInArms]

8. that thinking

is so 9/10 :sarcasm:

[MADem]

2. What a load of horseshit!!!!

This bit takes the absolute cake!!!!

Indeed, had the soldiers worked for a civilian firm, and not for the federal government, they might have been covered by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which protects reservists from discrimination and job loss when called to active duty....

And all the friken "tea and sympathy" they dole out while shafting these kids is just over the top. You can't pay bills with expressions of understanding!

Lt. Col. Kevin Steverson, head of the Florida National Guard's counter-drug program, said he understands the soldiers' anger. "The timing for these soldiers and airmen was not good," Steverson said in an e-mail. "I sympathize with their frustrations."

The letters, dated Jan. 12, 2004, informed the guardsmen that their jobs "are not militarily unique and are therefore better performed by other agencies."

The letter then referred them to several job placement Web sites before concluding, "You are constantly in our thoughts; rest assured that every decision we make is with our Counterdrug deployed soldiers and airmen in mind."

In other words, fuck you very much, now get lost!

[DELUSIONAL]

3. If they voted for JEB and/or bushie -- too damned bad

However, if they voted for Kerry or Gore -- gosh that is horrible about losing their job. Hopefully the democratic Senators and congress might be able to do something -- but Oops the democrats are the minority party.

So sorry guys.

[Joey Liberal]

4. Since they voted for Bush, I don't care

[Voltaire99]

5. Since when are make-work "war on drugs" jobs...

...something anyone is entitled to?

There's no injustice here.

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

[w4rma]

7. Thank the Republican leadership. (nt)